Good morning. Here is today’s summary from TheMatrix Newspapers:
1. Atiku Blasts Tinubu: You Copied My Economic Plan Like A Dull Student
- Says 30-Day Petrol Discount Can’t Erase Years of Hardship
- ‘It’s A Temporary Palliative’, Tinubu Must Resign
- ‘No One Copies a Serial Loser’: Presidency Fires Back
- Optimistic Nigeria Will Forge Ahead
The battle for Nigeria’s 2027 presidency has taken a fresh combative turn, with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar accusing President Bola Tinubu of copying his economic proposal “like a dull student”, while the Presidency dismissed the allegation as another display of self-aggrandisement by an opposition politician. READ MORE
2. States’ Spending, Pre Election Costs May Push Nigeria’s Deficit Higher — World Bank
- Projects Deficit To Climb From 3.1% To 3.5% Of GDP
- Oil Windfall Under Threat As States Ramp Up Spending
- Urges CBN To Ease Cash Reserve Ratio Burden
Nigeria’s fiscal gains are facing fresh pressure as rising state government spending, election-related expenditure and mounting federal obligations threaten to widen the country’s consolidated fiscal deficit to 3.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2026, the World Bank has warned. READ MORE
3. Shareholders Commend Fidelity Bank’s Strong Performance
Shareholders of Fidelity Bank Plc have lauded the Bank’s Board and Management for strengthening its capital base, improving asset quality and sustaining earnings growth despite a challenging operating environment. READ MORE
4. You Never Called Buhari By First Name, Omokri Chides Atiku Over ‘Bola’ Reference
Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to apologise to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for repeatedly referring to him by his first name during a press conference. READ MORE
5. 2027: Bar Parties Over Membership Register Violation, APC Tells INEC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce a Supreme Court judgment on political parties’ membership registers, warning that parties that fail to comply with statutory requirements could be barred from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections. READ MORE
6. Gunmen Abduct Three At Oyo Research Institute, Demand N120m
Gunmen have abducted three people, including two employees of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, Idi Ayunre, in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, and demanded N120m for their release. READ MORE
7. Benue Attack Leaves Child, Two Others Dead
A four-year-old boy and two other persons have been killed in an attack on Omulonye community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. READ MORE
8. Court Adjourns SERAP, Oluwadare Appeals Over N101m DSS Defamation Judgment
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has adjourned hearing in appeals filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, against a N101m defamation judgment in favour of two Department of State Services officials. READ MORE
9. Peller Rejects DNA Test Demands Over Unborn Child
Nigerian livestreamer and content creator Peller has launched a fierce verbal counterattack against critics demanding a DNA test to establish the paternity of the unborn child he is expecting with fellow content creator Jarvis, declaring that he will not entertain the controversy surrounding the pregnancy. READ MORE
10. Man Who Leaked Man City’s Secret Documents To Remain Under Witness Protection
The Portuguese computer hacker who released documents which helped trigger the Premier League investigation into Manchester City will remain in witness protection after authorities in the country suspended the decision to end it. READ MORE
